I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I رغباتنا مغامرة
Kesra , between Earth and Sky
Some 270 kilometers southwest of Tunis , the hilltop village of Kesra reveals its charms along winding roads . At an altitude of 1,100 meters , Kesra boasts the highest Tunisian village , offering breathtaking panoramic views over the region , but above all , it ’ s its rich history , present around every corner , that fascinates visitors .
A quiet but age-old village Built on the heights of the Kesra plateau , in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains , the little village of the same name is undoubtedly one of the country ’ s oldest cities . Formerly known as Churisa , Kesra has had many lives . Its origins date back to ancient times , when it was a bastion of Punic civilization , before being taken over by the Phoenicians , Romans , and Byzantines , and finally conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century . Coveted by successive civilizations for its strategic position , the little hilltop village has long played a defensive role , whether as part of the « limes Tripolitanus », the famous defensive system of Roman Africa that lasted until the 2nd century or as a bulwark against French colonization . From this rich past , Kesra has preserved several vestiges scattered throughout the village , and a stroll down one of its many cobbled streets is enough to transport you back to other centuries . The remains of an Ottoman fortress dating from the 17th century bring back memories of the successive assaults that have marked this land , and on the walls of some of the houses linger some Phoenician and Roman inscriptions , veritable treasures of time .
Kesra , Cradle of Amazigh culture in Tunisia What ’ s most striking about this village of less than 3,000 inhabitants is its attachment to Berber culture . Faithful to the Amazigh culture that ruled the village in the 10th and 11th centuries , the Kesrois perpetuate ancient Berber traditions that can be seen in the village ’ s architecture , gastronomic specialties , and festivities . As
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